First Welfare Audit Program in the U.S. Now Certifies More than a Billion Animals

The American Humane Certified™ program

The American Humane Certified program traces its roots to the very formation of American Humane Association in 1877. That year, humane organizations from throughout the country gathered at a landmark meeting in Ohio to unite their missions and resources in a stronger voice to protect livestock from inhumane treatment.

Introducing Humane Heartland™

An Expanded Farm Animal Welfare Program

American Humane Association’s Humane Heartland™ farm animal welfare program provides ongoing outreach to farmers in the implementation of humane practices for animals by way of the American Humane Certified™ program and rigorous, science-based standards.

Behind the Label

America's First Farm Animal Certification Program

Ever since American Humane Association created the first third-party farm animal welfare certification program in the United States, awareness of animal welfare and its link to the quality and safety of food has grown steadily.

For over 130 years, American Humane Association has been at the forefront of virtually every major policy movement and shift in cultural attitudes aimed at improving the lives of children and animals.

Honoring the Bond

Exploring & nurturing the connection of people with animals

Since 1877, American Humane Association has been at the forefront of almost every major advancement in protecting children, pets and farm animals from cruelty, abuse and neglect.

Humane Heartland educates consumers on the connection of farm animal welfare to healthy, safe and nutritious food. We also support farm and ranch families in their stewardship of their animals and sustainable practices for our communities.

Egg Innovations believes that chickens under their care should never be exposed to or fed drugs, hormones, sub-theraputic antibiotics or animal by-products for the purpose of stimulating productivity or reducing cost.

From its humble beginnings as a small, single farm in California’s Central Valley, Foster Farms has grown into the most trusted brand of poultry in the Western United States. Since 1939, West Coast families have depended on family-owned and operated Foster Farms for premium quality fresh chicken products.

Hellmann's® Light Mayonnaise, known as Best Foods® West of the Rockies, is America's favorite mayonnaise brand, and uses only cage-free eggs in its ingredients which are provided by producers certified by American Humane Association.

Butterball has been the leading turkey producer in the nation for more than 50 years, helping cooks to make occasions more special with delicious and family friendly turkey meals. Butterball provides a wide variety of products from whole birds to a wide variety of deli products for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Established in 1929, Weaver Brothers is a third-generation-led family farm operation still owned and managed by the founding family with the fourth generation of the family now working in Versailles, Ohio.

Becoming Certified

Be a good egg... buy a good egg!

Make a humane choice in the eggs you buy

If you're like most Americans, you care about the welfare and treatment of the animals on our farms and ranches. In fact, in a recent national survey of 3,000 people across the country by American Humane Association, an overwhelming 89 percent said they were concerned about the welfare of animals in U.S. agriculture.

At American Humane Association, we believe that people want to do the right thing and that if they choose to eat dairy, meat, or eggs, they should be able to find humane choices that are safe and affordable.

CEO column:

Animal ag industry needs to reclaim the word 'humane'

Consumers are removed from agricultural production and animal husbandry, yet the overwhelming majority of consumers care about how their food is produced. That’s an enormous opportunity for farmers and ranchers to tell their story about animal care. Unfortunately, we’ve seen producers be confronted by those who have coopted the word "humane," and who may have an entirely different agenda than animal welfare or do not believe farm animals can be raised humanely under any circumstances.